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Thomas Quasthoff, 52, the celebrated German bass-baritone renowned for his sensitive, expressive performances and deep artistic intelligence, says he is retiring from the concert stage. ''My health no longer allows me to live up to the...

October 12, 2008, Sunday

"Brrroeek," drones the jackhammer. "Brrroeek, brrroeek." When it rests you can hear the radiator grumbling and the baseline murmur of traffic rising up from Columbus Circle to the fifth floor of the Mayflower Hotel.